RF Connector Sealing Nut with Integrated Ingress Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RF connectors have long necks to accommodate environmental and ingress protection measures, such as tapes and sleeves, which can lead to space inefficiencies and installation challenges, and may not provide adequate protection against environmental contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a ring-shaped main body and cylindrical axial body that interfaces with RF connectors and mechanical enclosures, providing a radio frequency path while incorporating sealing features like shoulders and protrusions to ensure ingress protection without the need for external tapes or sleeves, and utilizing an over-molding process for manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional standard connectors are used with external tapes or shrink sleeves for environmental protection, then ingress protection is achieved, but the connector neck becomes long and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and the connector nut function into a single integrated component. The sealing nut includes both the threaded portion for mechanical connection and the sealing portion with sealing elements (gasket, O-ring, or labyrinth structure) built-in, eliminating the need for separate external tapes or shrink sleeves and thereby reducing the connector neck length while maintaining ingress protection
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are nested within the sealing nut structure itself. The gasket, O-ring, or labyrinth sealing features are positioned inside the sealing nut, allowing the sealing function to be contained within the compact nut geometry rather than requiring external protective layers, thus reducing overall length
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional standard connectors are used with external sealing materials, then environmental protection is provided, but installation complexity and space for sealing installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function and the connector nut function are merged into a single integrated component. The sealing nut includes both the threaded portion for mechanical connection and the sealing portion with sealing elements built-in, eliminating the need for separate external tapes or shrink sleeves and thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining environmental protection
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing nut is designed to be self-contained with all sealing features integrated into the single component. The sealing elements (gasket, O-ring, or labyrinth structure) are built-in and automatically engage when the nut is installed, eliminating the need for separate sealing materials and simplifying installation to a single fastening operation
Data Source
AI summary
Various antenna-based systems may benefit from hardware for antenna connectors. For example, certain radio systems may benefit from an antenna connector sealing nut or radio frequency connector ingress protection cap structure. An apparatus can include a connector main body comprising a ring-shaped member having an inner circumference defining a passage and an outer circumference. The apparatus can also include a connector axial body comprising a cylindrical member arranged partially within the passage. The connector main body can be configured to interface with a radio frequency connector at the inner circumference. The connector main body can be configured to interface, at the outer circumference, with a mechanical enclosure housing the radio frequency connector. The connector axial body can be configured to interface with an inner portion of the radio frequency connector. The connector axial body can be configured to provide a radio frequency path through the connector axial body.